Locking device for containers



Oct.' 30, 1956 W. C. FERGUSON ET AL LOCKING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan.

Oct. 30, 1956 Filed Jan. 5, 1954 w. c. FERGUSON ET All 2,768,718

LOCKING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hrram/fr.

United States Patent O LocKrNG DEVICE non CONTAINERS rWi'lliamlC. Ferguson, BeechGrove, and Thomas L. Wilcox, Jr., indianapolis, Ipnd.,`a ssignoise 'to Aander-'sorti B0X Company, Indianapolis, Ind., incorporation This invention relates to a fibreboard container, particularly of the corrugated board type, and more specically to the locking device for securing the walls of the container in erected condition and locking a cover lid thereon. v

One feature of the invention resides in the lookin-g device for the erected container such as to eliminate the necessity of utilizing stapling or taping, particularly those containers having hand holes at each end for facilitating the lifting thereof vas in egg cases, cases for bottled or canned'goods and the like.

The locking of the walls of the container without resort to taping or stapling is accomplished by cutting a locking tongue from the inner end wall of the container with its upper end hinged thereto, passing it through hand hole openings in intermediate and outer end walls, to be folded upwardly therefrom and inserted into locking engagement with the slotted ledge formed in association with theflap extending downwardly from the inner wall to embrace both the intermediate and outer end walls. By reason of such arrangement the inner and intermediate walls which are hinged to the respective side walls,

Aare interlocked with an outer end wall hinged to the lock with acover lid for securing the cover lid thereto,

wherein such tongue becomesl a lid lock, and a second tongue nested vtherein is cut out from the intermediate end wall, extended through. the Vhand hole opening with the lid locking tongue, and nested therein. it is inserted to nest downwardly in the slot of the, lid in the manner above described, whereby'the intermediate and outer end walls'will be locked'together and theinner wall locked o therewith through the medium of the lid lock.V

By reason of the yabove arrangement, such handY hole cut out tongues in the endwalls of the container are utilized for providing an end lock, a lid lock, or both an end lock and a lid lock.-

"The full nature ofthe invention will be understood from the accompanying drawingsand the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a container havin-g the dual locking tongues, one to provide an`end lock and the other to provide a lid lock, and showing the blank Ybefore erection.

F-ig. 2 is a perspective view of one end of the container erected from the blank of Fig. l, showing an end lock in locking position with the lid lock` extended.

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through an endwall of the container and cover lid applied thereto in erected position with both the end lock and the lid lock in their respective locking positions.

Fig. 4 is a plan View showing Va modified form of con- 2,768,778 Patented Oct. 30, 1956 ICC 2- tainer comprising 4a blank before erection by stapling, and provided with the lid lock.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one end of the erected container, as shown in Fig. 4, with the lid lock extended.

Fig. 6 is a central vertical section through one end of the erected container with the cover lid mounted thereon and the lid lock in lid locking position.

.ln the drawings, .referring'to Figs. l, 2 and 3, there is shown Va container, preferably of iibreboard or. corrugated paperboard, includinga bottom 10, side walls 171 and 12. The blank is scored along the lines 10a for hing*- ing the side walls upwardly from the bottom. Hinged vto each end of the side 'wall 11 there is an inner end Wall 13 scored for hinging relativeV to the side wall 141- at 13a. Each of the inner end walls 13 is formed with a flap 14 scored to fold over and downwardly to provide an` upper ledge 15, said ledge being provided with Ia centr-al elongated slot 16. Substantially centrally of e-ach inner end wall 13 a lid lock tongue 1-7 is cut therefrom to provide a hand hole 18 therein, and which is hinged at Vits upper end at the scored line indicated at 17a.

Secured to each end of the bottom 10 there is `an outer end wall 1.9 hinged thereto by scoring along the line indicated at 19a. Each ofsaid outer end walls is provided with .a cut out ap 20 hinged at 20a for providing a hand hole opening 21 when hinged upwardly relative to the bottom. Hinged to opposite ends of the side wall 1 2 there are intermedi-ate end walls 22 connected by the score line 22a. Each ofsaid intermediate end walls 22. has a cut out end lock tongue Z3 hinged `at the score line 23a to leave a' hand hole opening 2,4,

Upon the container being erected, as shown in Fig. 2, and locked in erected position by the end lock tongue 23, a cover lid 2 5 may be -applied over the upstanding walls thereof. VSaid cover lidV includes atop andreversely folded side walls 26. Ign erecting the container fromA the blank' shown in Fig. 1, and as illustrated in Fig. 2, the side walls are hinged upwardly from the bottom and the end walls hinged inwardly so as to nest against each other, as shown in Fig. 3. The flaps 14 are then turned Vdownwardly to provide the slotted ledge 15 andl to einbrace the onte rand intermediate end walls 19 and 2,2. In this positionthe hand hole openings 118, 2.1 and 2,4 are aligned, whereupon the end llock tongue 23g extending from the intermediate end wallv is threaded through the hand hole'Zllv of the outer end wall, turned'upwardly to embrace the tiap 14 with its free end nested downwardly into the slot'ltV of the ledge 15. In this operation the iiap 2@ may be folded up to nest under, theap 14 and the intermediate end wall 2v2 may have its upper edge notched `at 28 Vto receive kthe downturned locking end of the end lock tongue 23, as indicated at 2,3b.

In the above manner the triple end walls, each connected with one of the side walls and the bottom of the container respectively, are locked together so that the entire container is securely held in erected position by the end locked tongues without any requirement of stapling or taping. Through the medium of the end lock device, the container may be readily unlocked for shipping or storing as a at blank, shown in Fig. 1. Thus, without the necessity offremoving or applying staples or taping, the container may be erected assembled condition or disassembled readily and repeatedly. i f

` If it is not desirable to utilize the lid lock, only one of the tongues 17,V 23 need be employed, it being optional as torwhether thel lid lock tongue 17 isk eliminated, leaving merely a hand hole in the inner` end wall, or the tongue 2,3 eliminated from the intermediate wall, leaving merely a hand hole therein through which the tongue 17 may extend to serve as an end lock vtongue'rather than-4a.. lid 199k tongue- However, when it is desired to utilize both tongues, one as an end lock for the container and the other as a lid lock for the cover lid 25, the container is locked in erected position as above described and shown in Fig. 2. Upon application of the cover lid 25 the lid lock tongue 17 may then be turned upwardly about the end wall 26 of the cover lid to extend over the end thereof and be nested downwardly through the slot 27 for locking the cover lid securely to the container. In this instance it may be desirable to provide a more secure locking of the cover lid if the free `end portion of the lid lock tongue is also extended through the slot 16 to frictionally nest between the tucked-in end portion of the tongue 23 and the adjacent portion of the inner end wall 13, as shown in Fig. 3. i

A further alternative is shown in the modified forms of Figs. 4, and 6, wherein it may be desirable to employ only a lid lock and erect and secure the container by taping or stapling. However, in this arrangement the lid lock tongue is formed and arranged precisely as above described with respect to the lid lock tongue 17, for securing the cover lid in the manner shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 4 there is shown an outer bottom panel 110 hingedly connected with ya side wall 1-11 and 110a. An inner bottom panel 110b is hinged to the side wall 112 by the score line 110e. Hinged to opposite ends of the bottom panel 110 there is a pair of inner end walls 113 hinged, respectively, to the bottom panel at 113a. Each of the end walls 113 is provided with a lid lock tongue 117 hinged at one end along the score line 117a to leave a hand hole 118.

Hinged to opposite ends of the side wall 111 there are outer end walls 119 secured `along the scored line 119a. Each of said outer end walls is provided with a hand hole 121 and one of said outer end walls is provided with a securing flap 122 for receiving staples or other securing means, as indicated at 123.

The container thus erected is adapted to receive a cover lid 125 having side walls 126. The end walls are preferably formed by inwardly folded outer portions 128 and inner portions 129, with the inner portions 129 spaced inwardly to receive the free end portion 130 of the lid lock tongue 117 when extended downwardly therein through the slot 127 formed adjacent the ends of the lid in alignment with said spacing.

In this modified structure `there -are provided two bottom panels instead of the single bottom panel of Figs. l to 3. However, it is formed with only two end panels, as distinguished from three end panels, as shown'in the first modification. By reason of this structure stapling, taping or similar securing meansl is required for holding the container in erected form. However, there is provided Vthe same lid lock tongue extending from the cut out hand hole of the inner end .wall through the hand hole of the outer end wall to be inserted in the slot provided in the cover lid in precisely the same manner as described with respect to the rst modification of Figs. l to -3.' v

yFrom the foregoing, it will be observed that the oontainer is provided with one or more locking devices in the form of tongues cut from the hand holes of the end walls serving to lock the bottom and walls of the containerin erected position without stapling, taping or the like, as in Figs. l to 3; similarly serve to lock a cover lid over the container, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6,- or through utilization ofv two such devices both lock the bottom and side walls of the container in the erected positionand 'also lock a cover lid thereto, as also Ashown in Figs. l' to 3, inclusive. Y v The above-described locking devices are labor saving 1n respect to erecting and assembling both the container and the lid, or disassembling them and reducing the contamer to a flat `blank vfor shipping or storing after'use. Through the medium of the lid lock device the cover lid may be rmly secured, such as to eliminate tying or other- Wise securing the lid for shipment, and having such strength as to enable the container to be lifted by the lid even to include superposed containers and thereby facilitate loading and unloading, as well as the use of fork trucks or the like. By providing such locking means from the usual cut out hand holes of the end walls a substantial saving of board is effected as well as the saving of other securing devices.

The invention claimed is:

1. A container having a bottom panel, a pair of side walls hinged thereto and triple end'walls hinged to opposite ends of said bottom panel and side walls respectively to provide at each end of Vsaid container overlapping inner and outer end walls, each having a registering hand hole, a downturned flap hinged from the upper edge of the innermost end wall to extend over and downwardlyl into embracing relation with the outer end wall and forming an upper ledge having an elongated slot therein, and an end wall lock tongue cut from the hand hole of an inner end wall extended through the hand hole opening of the outer wall and upwardly therefrom to embrace said flap with its free end inserted in the said slot for interlocking engagement therewith, to thereby secure said end walls in overlapping relation with said side walls in erected position.

2. A container having a bottom panel, a pair of side walls hinged thereto and triple end walls hinged to opposite ends of said bottom panel and side walls respectively to provide at each end of said container overlapping inner and outer end walls, said end walls having registering cut out hand holes therein, an upturned ap cut from the hand hole of the outer end wall and bent upwardly therefrom, a downturned Hap hinged from the upper edge of the inner end wall to extend over and downwardly into embracing relation with the outer end wall and its upturned Hap forming an upper ledge having an elongated slot therein, a notch formed in the intermediate end wall open at the top in alignment with said slot, and an end lock tongue cut out from the hand hole of an inner end wall extended through the hand hole opening of the outer wall and hinged upwardly therefrom to overlie and embrace the said downturned flap of the inner wall, said tongue having a scored free end extending downwardly into said slot and notch for interlocking therewith to secure said end walls in overlapping relation and maintaining their associated side walls in erected position.

3. A container including inner and outer walls, each of said walls having registering hand hole openings therein, the inner wall having a flap hinged from the top edge thereof to extend downwardly over and in embracing relation with the upper portion of the outer wall above its hand hole opening, an elongated slot extending along the hinged portion of said flap in alignment and coextensive with said hand hole openings, and a locktongue cut out of the hand hole opening of the inner wall hinged from the upper portion thereof to extend outwardly and through the hand hole opening of the outer wall, said tongue extending upwardly in embracing relation with said flap and the upper portion of the outer wall with its free end hinged downwardly to extend through said slot to interlock therewith and secure said walls in assembled relation.

4. A container having a bottom panel, a pair of side walls hinged thereto and triple end walls hinged to Opposite ends of lsaid bottom panel and said walls respectively to provide at each end of said container overlapping inner and outer end walls, each having a registering hand hole,

a superimposed cover lid mounted over said walls, a downturned flap hinged from the'upper edge of the innermost end wall to extend over and downwardly into embracing relation with the outer endwall and forming an 'upper ledge having an elongated slot therein, an end wall lock tongue cut from the hand hole of the intermediate one of said end walls extending through the hand' hole opening of the outer wallA and upwardly therefrom to embrace said ap with its free end inserted in the said slot for interlocking engagement therewith, to thereby secure said end walls in overlapping relation with said side walls in erected position, and a second lid lock tongue cut from the hand hole of the innermost one of said inner end walls extending through the hand holes of the intermediate and outer end walls adapted to be extended upwardly into tongue and slot locking engagement with said superimposed cover lit.

5. A closed container comprising a bottom panel, a pair of side walls hinged thereto, triple end walls hinged to opposite ends of said bottom panel and side walls respectively and a removable superimposed cover lid therefor, the said triple end walls at each end of said container being positioned to overlap each other, and each having a registering hand hole therein, a down turned flap hinged from the upper edge of the innermost end wall to extend over and downwardly into embracing relation with the outermost end wall and forming an .upper ledge having an elongated slot therein coextensive and in alignment with said hand holes, an end wall lock tongue cut from the hand hole of the intermediate end wall extending through the hand hole opening of the outer wall and upwardly therefrom to embrace said flap with its free end inserted in the said slot for interlocking engagement therewith and thereby secure said end walls in overlapping relation with said side walls in erected position, a downwardly extending skirt on said cover lid surrounding and embracing said downturned ap and end wall tongue lock and having slots in the top thereof in alignment and coextensive with said hand hole openings and substantially in the planes of the inner end walls, and a tongue cut from the hand hole of the innermost end wall hinged therefrom to extend through the other said hand hole for folding upwardly in embracing relation about the skirt of said cover lid with its free end extending downwardly through the slot therein between the inner end walls for locking the cover lid thereto.

6. A closed container comprising a bottom panel, a pair of side walls hinged thereto, triple end walls hinged to opposite ends of said bottom panel and side walls respectively, and a cover lid closure having a depending skirt surrounding said walls having an elongated slot in the top thereof substantially in the plane of said inner end walls, the said end walls at each end of said container extending in overlapping relation to include inner, intermediate and outer walls, each having registering cut out hand holes therein, an upturned flap cut from the hand hole of the outer end Wall and bent upwardly therefrom, a downwardly turned ap hinged from the upper edge of the inner end wall to extend over and downwardly into embracing relation with the outer end wall and its upturned flap and forming an upper ledge having an elongated slot therein, a notch formed in the intermediate end wall open at the top in alignment with said slot, an end lock tongue cut out from the hand hole of the intermediate end wall extending through the hand hole opening of the outer wall and hinged upwardly therefrom to overlie and embrace the said downturned flap of the inner wall, said tongue having a scored end extending downwardly into said slot and notch for interlocking therewith to secure said end walls in overlapping relation and maintain their associated side walls in erected position, and a lid lock tongue cut out from the hand hole of the innermost wall extending through the hand hole openings of the adjacent walls and hinged upwardly to overlie and embrace the adjacent skirt portion of said lid, said tongue having a scored free end extending downwardly into the slot provided in said lid and between the upper portions of said innermost and intermediate end walls for interlocking therewith to secure said cover lid over said walls.

7. A closed container having a bottom panel, a pair of side walls, inner and outer end walls and a cover lid having a dependent skirt embracing the upper portions of said walls, the end walls at each end of said container lying in overlapping relation and each provided with hand hole openings, said cover lid being provided with a sl'ot adjacent the skirt portion in alignment and coextensive with said hand hole openings, and a lid lock tongue cut out from the hand hole opening of the inner end wall extending through the said opening in the outer wall hinged to extend upwardly over and in embracing relation with the adjacent portion of said skirt with its free end hinged to extend downwardly through said slot in interlocking relation therewith for securing said inner and outer end walls together and said cover lid thereover.

8. A closed container including a pair of opposed single upstanding walls and an opposed pair of double upstanding walls, said double upstanding walls having registering hand hole openings therein, a cover lid for seating over said walls having depending skirts, opposed skirts embracing said doublc walls including an upturned inner skirt portion spaced from the outer skirt portion, said cover lid having a slot extending in alignment and coextensive with said hand hole openings and opening into a space between the outer and inner skirt portions, and a lid lock tongue cut from the hand hole opening of each inner wall to extend through the hand hole opening in the outer wall, said tongue being hinged to extend upwardly in embracing relation with the adjacent skirt portion of said cover lid with its free end scored to hinge downwardly and extend into said slot to nest between the inner and outer portions of said double skirt portion for interlocking therewith to lremovably secure said wall portions together and said cover lid thereover.

9. A closed container including a pair of opposed inner and outer walls, each having registering hand hole openings therein, a cover lid extending over the upper edge of said walls having a downwardly extending skirt portion, said skirt portion overlying and embracing said inner and outer walls having an inwardly turned and upwardly extending coextensive flap to provide an inner skirt pocket open at the top, said cover lid having an elongated slot registering with said pocket and in alignment and coextenaive with said hand hole openings, and a lock tongue cut out of the inner wall hand hole opening and extending through the hand hole opening of the outer wall to embrace the adjacent skirt portion of said lid, the free end of said tongue being scored to hinge downwardly to extend through said slot into said pocket for removably locking said inner and outer walls and said cover lid together.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,175,476 Martin Oct. 1Q, 1939 2,351,825 Limbert June 20, 1944 2,393,356 Fallert Ian. 22, 1946 2,459,939 Hill et al. Jan. 25, 1949 2,706,595 Fallert Apr. 19, 1955 

